Lenovo Thinkpad 8
Verdict
Key specs
Critic consensus
“Although it has its share of limitations, such as lackluster battery life, missing stylus/digitizer support (and thus often difficult, imprecise navigation), and a glossy screen which could stand to be a bit brighter, the ThinkPad 8 still manages to rise head and shoulders above most of its competitors in nearly every other category. For starters, build quality is top-notch, featuring the same sort of solid, premium ThinkPad feel that we expect from the brand. The screen is overall beautiful, with good contrast and color coverage and extremely sharp resolution. And perhaps most importantly of all, general system performance is excellent, rivaling even larger, higher-powered peers such as Microsoft’s Surface Pro 2.”
“Is Windows 8 best for you as a PC, or as a tablet? If you choose the latter, it's hard to think of a better design than the Lenovo ThinkPad 8. An 8.3-inch screen with 1,920x1,200 resolution offers a Retina-like richness to images and text, and the design feels solid, clean, attractive.Is Windows best suited for a small tablet? Not really. But the ThinkPad 8 does work for media, apps, and everyday basic functions really nicely. It just doesn't come with a keyboard or trackpad.You get a good package for $399, including an impressive 64GB of storage. And if you think of the ThinkPad 8 as a little computer in your pocket that can pair with keyboard and monitor into a full connected device back at home, you'll probably love this. But it's not the same as a Surface, or a Lenovo Yoga, for that matter.”
“Performance always comes at a price, and in the ThinkPad 8′s case, that price is battery life. I got just 5 hours, 42 minutes of full-screen video in my tests, which is a significant step down from last year’s Windows tablets. What’s more, the unit charges — slowly — via its USB 3.0 connection, and under heavy loads the battery will discharge even while it’s plugged in, as the power-throttled USB connection can’t keep up with the drain. Surprisingly though, even under load the unit only gets mildly warm, far from uncomfortably so.At $499 as configured, Lenovo as usual is pricing the device at the top end of the category, but the cost isn’t unreasonable. This is one case where the slight premium may very well be worth the few extra bucks.”
“We can’t stress enough how the Lenovo ThinkPad 8 has more flexibility than other prized tablets in the space. Giving us that desktop-like experience thanks to Windows 8.1, it has an advantage in the productivity side over other Android tablets and the iPad. Add in its base price point of $400, it absolutely provides consumers with plenty of value that won’t drain their pockets. In many ways, it’s a fantastic tablet that’s great for fun and work, but we wouldn’t say that it’s something that greatly oversteps traditional laptops in the mobile computing space. Compact, light, and responsive, it has enough of the elements to make it a compelling offering to those who want to travel light – without missing out on the desktop-like experience.”
Watch before you decide
In Depth
The 8-inch Windows tablet market is growing by leaps and bounds. This device aims to be the flagship device for Lenovo and set a new bar for performance in the 8-inch market. Reviews of the device are superb overall with Brian Westover of PC Magazine calling it, “the perfect device to slip into your coat pocket, letting you walk away from your desk without having to step away from important work.” David Pierce of The Verge says that “it’s the perfect size for a Windows 8 tablet.”
However, some reviewers question the viability of an 8-inch tablet for any real productivity uses. Scott Stein of CNET says, “you could argue that 8 inches is a downright weird territory for an OS that really still wants to be a full computer operating system.” Peter Bright of Ars Technica notes that, “The 8-inch screen isn’t big enough for any kind of comfortable extended desktop usage.”
These points are entirely about the size of the screen. Reviews agree that the clarity and color of the 8-inch IPS touchscreen is top notch. Kevin Lee of TechRadar states, “The higher-resolution screen is by far the biggest selling point that makes the Lenovo ThinkPad 8 stand above the rest of the competition.” PC Magazine praised the viewing angles of the device, stating, “The screen offers rich colors and wide viewing angles—nearly 180-degrees.”
Powered by an Intel Atom processor and Intel Graphics chipset, reviews indicate that the tablet does excellent for basic productivity tasks, web browsing and other light activities, even when multitasking. However, numerous reviews, including that of CNET mention that you should not “expect to do any serious gaming or graphics work.”
A lack of built-in keyboard or stylus support also discouraged a few reviewers. David Pierce of The Verge says, “This device is first and foremost a tablet, and really only becomes something else with the right add-ons and accessories” but also mentions that he “constantly missed having a stylus that worked.” Scott Stein of CNET mentions, “If you think of the ThinkPad 8 as a little computer in your pocket that can pair with keyboard and monitor into a full connected device back at home, you’ll probably love this.”
Unfortunately, there appear to be a few other considerations as well. Many reviews noted a lack of clarity and stability with the built-in 8MP camera. Kevin Lee of TechRadar experienced numerous crashes and issues before installing an update available through Lenovo. He stated, ““Even with the update in place, though, the camera is still quite buggy.”
Another consideration is battery life. All reviews noted a lack of battery life from the device due to the increased power requirements of the Atom processor. Most sites found running times between seven and nine hours on average before needing a charge. CNET went as far as to note, “Don’t pick the ThinkPad 8 if you want the best battery life.”
Overall, reviews indicate that if you are looking for a media consumption device with productivity capabilities, or a solid small-format Windows 8 tablet, this device is a sound choice. The Verge said, “For all other normal tablet things, the ThinkPad 8 is as good as any device I’ve used.” Kevin Lee sums up many reviews by saying, “the ThinkPad 8 is pricier than most tablets in its class. But if you’re a Windows fan, this high-end tablet is well worth the extra cash.”
What people actually want to know
When was the Lenovo Thinkpad 8 released?
The Lenovo Thinkpad 8 was released on January 31, 2014.
How long does the battery last on the Lenovo Thinkpad 8?
The Lenovo Thinkpad 8 has a 20 mAh battery.
Does the Lenovo Thinkpad 8 support wireless charging?
No, the Lenovo Thinkpad 8 does not support wireless charging.
Does the Lenovo Thinkpad 8 have a headphone jack?
Yes, the Lenovo Thinkpad 8 has a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Does the Lenovo Thinkpad 8 have NFC?
No, the Lenovo Thinkpad 8 does not have NFC. Contactless payments and tap-to-pair will not be available.
Where can I get support for the Lenovo Thinkpad 8?
Visit Lenovo's official support page for warranty info, repairs, and troubleshooting.
Where can I download the Lenovo Thinkpad 8 manual?
You can view and download the Lenovo Thinkpad 8 manual on our dedicated manual page.
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